News

please note: the following article is reproduced from the Macon Telegraph

Junior golf tour’s first year exceeds all expectations
By Alline Kent - Sun News correspondent
as published in the Macon Telegraph Dec. 02, 2009: http://www.macon.com/197/story/936738.html

WARNER ROBINS — The Middle Georgia Junior Golf Tour held its last tournament of the year Nov. 14 at the Landings Golf Club.

Thirty-nine junior golfers played in the Tournament of Champions, sponsored by the International City Optimist Club.

In its first year, the Middle Georgia Junior Golf Tour played more than 650 golf tournament rounds at local golf facilities. Ninety-three young people registered for the tour, more than doubling the goal set by founder Krag Woodyard.

“This year has really exceeded my expectations,” Woodyard said. “Our goal was to have 40 kids involved by year’s end, maybe starting off with 18 to 20 kids.”

The Middle Georgia Junior Golf Tour was founded to provide an affordable and competitive golfing experience for junior golfers.

Woodyard said the idea originally was to reach players in the Houston area and then branch out to other areas next year as the tournament grew. But this year’s group of players included golfers from Cochran, Gray, Eastman, Dublin and Macon.

“I think that it shows that this is something that is needed in this area,” Woodyard said.

“Typically, most golf programs for juniors are just over the summer. But with our summers being so short nowadays, that really gives junior golfers very little time. With a tournament like this, it gives them the opportunity to play all year long and improve all year long.”

Woodyard said the success of the junior golf tour’s first year would not have been possible without the support of area PGA golf professionals, golf course owners, managers, volunteers and parents.

In the November tournament, the players competed in both a points system and stroke play tournament.

Lacy Fears fired an 18-hole low round of 68 to capture low medalist honors for the girls division. Nick Kishigian posted a 75 to capture the boys low medalist title.

Other highlights included Megan Reddick and Conner Albright winning their respective divisions. Both finished +6 points over their required quota. Tara-Anne Abrigo and Marshall Barrett won their divisions for the nine-hole tournament.

While the junior golf tour has ended this year’s season, it already is registering for next year. Its first 2010 tournament will be in March at Waterford Golf Club.

For more information, visit http://www.mgjgt.com or call Woodyard at 447-9399.

Tournament of Champions Results

Ages 6-9 1st Mac Stevens +2 2nd AJ Abrigo +1 3rd Adam Chalmers -3

Ages 10-11 1st Tarah Anne Abrigo +5 2nd Cassidy Erickson +2 3rd Lindsey Cauley -3

Ages 12 1st Marshall Barrett

Ages 12-14 girls 1st Megan Reddick +6 2nd Heidi Park -1

Ages 13-14 boys 1st Conner Albright +6 2nd Austin Cudd +3 3rd Austin Taylor +2

Ages 15+ girls 1st Lacy Fears +7 2nd Tracy Nowak +3

Ages 15 boys 1st Nick Kishigian +8 2nd Tyler Woodyard -1 3rd Michael Meeks -1

Ages 16-17 1st Morgan Giddens +1 2nd David Tressler +1 3rd Kevin McKleroy -1/2

Low Medalist girls Lacy Fears 68

Low Medalist boys Nick Kishigian 75

Most Plus girls Lacy Fears +7

Most Plus boys Nick Kishigian +8

Most Plus pee wee Mac Stevens +2